Football Recap: La Joya Triumphs

Mauricio Mendoza

Rushing Yards

11/06/25 @ Pharr-San Juan-Alamo	237
10/30/25 vs Economedes	375
10/23/25 @ Edinburg North	216
10/17/25 vs Edinburg	121
10/09/25 @ Weslaco	111
+ 5 more games

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo came into Thursday's contest looking for another win against La Joya, but Mauricio Mendoza wouldn't allow it. The Coyotes walked away with a 48-40 victory over the Bears on Thursday with plenty of help from Mendoza, who rushed for 237 yards and three scores while picking up 8.2 yards per carry. Mendoza is crushing it when it comes to rushing yards: he's rushed for at least 105 every time he's taken the field this season.

The team also got some help courtesy of Owen Benoit, who threw for 144 yards and one TD on only 12 passes. His passing game has become a key predictor of La Joya's success: the team is undefeated when his passer rating is 100 or higher, but only 0-5 otherwise.

Despite the loss, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Devin Hernandez rushed for 117 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and also picked up 40 receiving yards and one score. Another player making a difference was Ramze Arroyo, who picked up 46 receiving yards and a pair of TDs.

The win got La Joya back to even at 5-5. As for Pharr-San Juan-Alamo, their defeat was their fifth straight at home, which dropped their record down to 1-9.

Looking ahead, La Joya will take on Harlingen at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. That game will pit two of the most dominant backs against one another: Mendoza and Noah Huerta. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo does not have any more games scheduled as of now.